Louis IV

known as Louis the Bavarian. ?1287–1347, king of Germany (1314–47) and Holy Roman Emperor (1328–47)

Louis IX

noun

1.

known as Saint Louis. 1214–70, king of France (1226–70): led the Sixth Crusade (1248–54) and was held to ransom (1250); died at Tunis while on another crusade

Louis V

noun

1.

known as Louis le Fainéant. ?967–987 ad, last Carolingian king of France (986–87)

Louis VII

noun

1.

known as Louis le Jeune. c. 1120–80, king of France (1137–80). He engaged in frequent hostilities (1152–74) with Henry II of England

Louis XI

noun

1.

1423–83, king of France (1461–83); involved in a struggle with his vassals, esp the duke of Burgundy, in his attempt to unite France under an absolute monarchy

Louis XII

noun

1.

1462–1515, king of France (1498–1515), who fought a series of unsuccessful wars in Italy

Louis XIII

noun

1.

1601–43, king of France (1610–43). His mother (Marie de Médicis) was regent until 1617; after 1624 he was influenced by his chief minister Richelieu

Louis XV

noun

1.

1710–74, king of France (1715–74); great-grandson of Louis XIV. He engaged France in a series of wars, esp the disastrous Seven Years' War (1756–63), which undermined the solvency and authority of the crown

Louis XVI

noun

1.

1754–93, king of France (1774–92); grandson of Louis XV. He married Marie Antoinette in 1770 and they were guillotined during the French Revolution

Louis XVII

noun

1.

1785–95, titular king of France (1793–95) during the Revolution, after the execution of his father Louis XVI; he died in prison

Louis XVIII

noun

1.

1755–1824, king of France (1814–24); younger brother of Louis XVI. He became titular king after the death of Louis XVII (1795) and ascended the throne at the Bourbon restoration in 1814. He was forced to flee during the Hundred Days

Louis XIV

noun

1.

known as le roi soleil (the Sun King). 1638–1715, king of France (1643–1715); son of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria. Effective ruler from 1661, he established an absolute monarchy. His attempt to establish French supremacy in Europe, waging almost continual wars from 1667 to 1714, ultimately failed. But his reign is regarded as a golden age of French literature and art

Louis

masc. proper name, from French Louis, from Old French Loois, probably via Medieval Latin Ludovicus, a Latinization of Old High German Hluodowig, literally "famous in war" (cf. Clovis; for etymology, see Ludwig). LouisQuatorze (1855) refers to styles reminiscent of the time of King Louis XIV of France (1643-1715).

A king of France in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Louis was known as the Sun King for his power and splendor. By inviting French nobles to live in luxury at his palace at Versailles, he removed them as threats and greatly increased his own power. He is known for saying, “L'état, c'est moi” (“I am the state”).